"But to me, some of the things we do in our country, I grew up, they were unifying events and it’s a little painful to see that those things are not so right now. But I also respect everyone’s right not to be censored in terms of the way they express their beliefs."

"But to me, some of the things we do in our country, I grew up, they were unifying events and it’s a little painful to see that those things are not so right now. But I also respect everyone’s right not to be censored in terms of the way they express their beliefs."

Officials at the University of Alabama finalized the 2018 football schedule on Tuesday. As usual, there are seven home games scheduled for Bryant-Denny Stadium with one neutral site game and four SEC road games.

Officials at the University of Alabama finalized the 2018 football schedule on Tuesday. As usual, there are seven home games scheduled for Bryant-Denny Stadium with one neutral site game and four SEC road games.

On a steamy and sweltering morning in south Louisiana, the LSU football team officially reported for the start of fall camp. The Tigers checking into the West Campus Apartments Wednesday morning, with their first practice set for Thursday. More >>

On a steamy and sweltering morning in south Louisiana, the LSU football team officially reported for the start of fall camp. The Tigers checking into the West Campus Apartments Wednesday morning, with their first practice set for Thursday. More >>

Leonard Fournette's freshman season got off to a slow start. But after being held to just 18 yards rushing in a season opening win against Wisconsin, Fournette burst into the end zone for a short touchdown run against FCS member Sam Houston State in Tiger Stadium.More >>

Leonard Fournette's freshman season got off to a slow start. But after being held to just 18 yards rushing in a season opening win against Wisconsin, Fournette burst into the end zone for a short touchdown run against FCS member Sam Houston State in Tiger Stadium.More >>

As a Warrick Dunn Player of the Year Award winner, we know Kendell Beckwith possesses both the physical and mental tools to be great on the football field. Now entering his junior year, he said he’s taking his new leadership role on head first. More >>

As a Warrick Dunn Player of the Year Award winner, we know Kendell Beckwith possesses both the physical and mental tools to be great on the football field. Now entering his junior year, he said he’s taking his new leadership role on head first. More >>

It was a week of blowouts as most teams played inferior competition in advance of season-ending rivalry games.More >>

It was a week of blowouts as most teams played inferior competition in advance of season-ending rivalry games.More >>

(RNN) - Don't call it a comeback, I been here for years…

So goes the opening line for what is arguably LL Cool J's most famous song. It's that kind of week for teams in the NFL Lite.

Missouri has been rockin' peers and puttin' suckas in fear all season, but Ole Miss wants to make the tears rain down like a MON-soon and listen to the bass go boom on any hopes the Tigers have of making the SEC Championship Game.

In Baton Rouge, the Tigers face a Texas A&M offense that can be explosive, overpowering. If the Aggies were subpoenaed to play defense, they would be held in contempt of court - but, oh boy, that offense. Don't you dare stare, you betta move when Johnny Manziel has his hands on the football because he has proven he can make up for his teammates' inability to stop opponents.

But before we get to that, a dope Midwestern babe will remind you that you don't EVER compare her peeps to those from other parts of the country. That's just how they roll.

I would say "word to your mother," but she told me to knock… you… OUT!

Ask a Midwesterner

For this edition of my semi-regular and semi-popular feature, I present to you Kate Braser. She values character over talent in athletes, and she is among the rare northeast Illinois natives who dislike deep-dish pizza. In other words, she is deeply flawed.

Hot Reads: Kate, thanks for taking the time and for being the first non-Missourian to participate in "Ask a Midwesterner."

Katie Braser: I'm sorry about that, but they're more Southern than Midwest. That's kind of like cheating. In Illinois, anything south of Interstate 80 is in the South.

HR: Ouch! Some serious territorial issues, I see. So getting right to things, you work for Northern Illinois University. Why should the rest of the country care about your football team?

KB: We have one of the highest graduation rates in the country. None of them have been arrested.

HR: Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

KB: Seriously. We beat two Big Ten teams this year (Hot Reads: They beat Iowa and one-win Purdue, which got stomped in a bowl game you've probably never heard of last season. We'll give them credit for 1.5 Big Ten wins). We played in the Orange Bowl last year (HR:and were promptly destroyed by Florida State). But considering how good Florida State is this year, I don't feel so bad about that.

HR: Hey, whatever you need for confidence. So how would you react if I told you I think deep-dish pizza is overrated?

KB: I'd agree with you. I like thin-crust pizza. I like when you can fold it. My dad is also a fan of the thin crust. My mom is from Iowa, so she's not rally into pizza like we are.

HR: What makes Illinois the best state in the country?

KB: Well, we have the Chicago area and all the great sports teams, Lake Michigan (HR: which you share with three other states and Canada, but whatever)…

HR: Yeah, but you're still the Second City.

KB: …probably the best pizza and a bunch of other cool stuff.

HR: You just ignored what I said.

KB: Yeah, that's what we do here.

SEC vs. SEC

Missouri at Ole Miss, 7:45 p.m. ET Saturday

Missouri's pass defense stinks. Wait! Sorry, did I say that out loud?

What I meant to say was… You know what, I don't feel like doing this. Mizzou's secondary couldn't stop you, me and the seven dwarves. Yeah, I know we're two short of 11, but at least then it's a fair fight.

And you're like: "Yeah, but that run defense, though." Look what the second-best rushing defense in the conference got them against Mike Davis and South Carolina - a big, fat "L."

Davis is the conference's top rusher, but the Rebels rush for more team yards per game, even with spark plug Jeff Scott missing three weeks before coming off the bench against Troy.

If he's questionable for this game, Ole Miss still has a good chance. But if he's good to go - and all indications are he is ready - it's lights out for the Tigers. No SEC Championship, no glass cleat.

The X-factor is James Franklin's return from a shoulder injury for the Fightin' Gary Pinkels. Franklin was contending for the title of Best SEC Quarterback before he went down against Georgia, and it should tell you something that his team went 2-1 while his arm was in a sling.

One of his weapons is receiver Dorial Green-Beckham, who has had such a quiet first two seasons in deference to L'Damian Washington that DGB is already sixth on the school's all-time touchdown receptions list. Go figure.

Mississippi's Bo Wallace, however, has matured to full-on manhood since beating LSU - no small feat considering that Barbie hair he has to swoosh back before putting on his helmet - and the Rebs have won four straight.

You telling me that even with Mizzou's beastly front seven, you would trust them to stop Laquon Treadwell, Donte Moncrief and a backfield that does more outside running than thieves in a rich neighborhood?

I don't think so.

Dakter Pressell

That's the newest nickname I have conceived for the Dak Prescott/Tyler Russell duo, and I challenge you to think of one better.

Of course, there is my previous favorite of Prescott. We could also go with the Stark Vegas Dealers. Or how about the Cowbell Boys? Pressell? Maroon McGoons?

This is getting tiring. Just like watching them switch in and out of the lineup.

By the way, they play Arkansas this Saturday. Who's going to win?

Not anyone who watches this game, that's for sure.

There's life outside the SEC?

Chattanooga at Alabama, 2 p.m. ET Saturday

Alabama has a grueling test one week before the Iron Bowl - they have to clean grass stains out of even more uniforms because of all the subs that will likely see playing time.

I usually love taking the opportunity at this point to give a far-fetched explanation about how an upset is possible or maybe even likely, but this time, not so much.

I don't see how Auburn could consider it anything less than an advantage that Alabama is trudging through a "confidence builder" while the Tigers are resting their bodies in between figuring out how to shore up their stanky defense.

No seriously. Why are people overlooking the fact that Auburn's defense is hoooorrible?

No one is the least bit concerned that Alabama will falter in this game, but we all know how they have produced this year in contests that seem to be decided before they begin. Ugly, but effective.

Even if you're the most die-hard Alabama fan, don't ruin your brain cells watching this before that delectable treat of an Iron Bowl presents itself next weekend.

Stat of the Week:

.63: Spread offenses are all the rage, and the SEC is home to the reigning Heisman-winning gunslinger. But from 1992 to 2012, the season that produced the highest percentage of league-wide passing attempts was 1997. Almost two-thirds of all plays that year were passes. Some guy from some relatively famous football family was wrapping up his career at Tennessee. That may have influenced those numbers.

WIS is launching a new sports talk show on Facebook Live! Every Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., Rick Henry, Emery Glover and their special guests will get together at 1801 Grille in downtown Columbia for thirty minutes of spirited college football talk on Facebook Live.

WIS is launching a new sports talk show on Facebook Live! Every Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., Rick Henry, Emery Glover and their special guests will get together at 1801 Grille in downtown Columbia for thirty minutes of spirited college football talk on Facebook Live.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) - Freddie Swain caught a 5-yard touchdown pass from backup quarterback Luke Del Rio with 43 seconds remaining to cap No. 20 Florida's rally from a 13-point, fourth-quarter deficit that beat Kentucky 28-27 on Saturday night. The Gators extended their winning streak over the Wildcats to 31 games, the nation's longest streak in FBS, and took early control of the Southeastern Conference's Eastern Division. And it required everything they had after t...More >>

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) - Freddie Swain caught a 5-yard touchdown pass from backup quarterback Luke Del Rio with 43 seconds remaining to cap No. 20 Florida's rally from a 13-point, fourth-quarter deficit that beat Kentucky 28-27 on Saturday night. The Gators extended their winning streak over the Wildcats to 31 games, the nation's longest streak in FBS, and took early control of the Southeastern Conference's Eastern Division. And it required everything they had after t...More >>